Series Males, Manipulation, 30x40 cm

Acrylic on Paper

In this striking artwork, created with acrylic on canvas, we encounter a wooden figure sketched in a manner that resembles a puppet hanging from strings, held by golden rods. The depiction, with the figure's head bowed down, is a powerful visualization of the concept of manipulation—a silent yet intense portrayal of being controlled by external forces.

The strings that dominate the wooden figure symbolize the invisible forces that guide our actions and force us into roles we may not have chosen for ourselves. The golden rods to which the strings are attached add a layer of irony—the splendor and shine of power that often pulls the strings, masking the darkness of manipulation.

The use of acrylic and the sketch-like technique lend the work an immediacy and directness that inevitably draws the viewer in. The composition speaks to the fragility of freedom and the complexity of the human condition, caught in a play of influence and control.

This artwork provokes reflection on the nature of freedom and the power exerted over us, often hidden behind the guise of glamour. It is a visual reflection on the struggles we face to choose our own paths against the invisible strings attempting to steer us. In its entirety, it is not just a portrayal of being controlled but also a call to recognize and perhaps sever the strings that bind us.